My Current Interest

                 I know it’s not Christmas, but when it comes to books like A Dreamspun Christmas , that doesn’t really matter.   The stories in this book are sweet stories that are great to read when you need something light and happy.   Obviously everything is going to turn out all right in the end.   Nothing really dire is going to happen while it gets there.   These are stories to enjoy, pure and simple.                 “Ghosts of Christmas Past” by Marilyn Campbell is the first story in this book.   Janice Fowler is a journalist who has been invited to a small town to write about their resident ghosts.   What she does not know is that Mayor Wesley Haversham plans on using the article to bring tourism and revive the town his family has lived in for generations.   The citizens, however, have a different hope.   They believe that if Wesley falls in love and has a son to carry on the family tradition of being mayor, then the town will be saved.   In their minds Janice is the per

             Not long ago I was watching a marathon of Inside the Actors Studio and I realized I have never written about it.   How could this happen?   I have watched and enjoyed this show for years.   It does not make sense that I would not have written about it.   Well, somehow I hadn’t.   So now I am.                             In essence, Inside the Actors Studio is an interview show.   Host James Lipton sits behind his desk with a stack of blue cards full of information and questions about his guest’s life.   For the most part, except for the size of the stack of cards, this is a pretty normal sight.   The difference is that with Mr. Lipton’s interviews the questions are not intended for gossip, have his guest spill the beans about something, or promotion.   Instead, they are to educate.                   Each guest is an actor, director, or musician.   They sit on stage and answer questions about their early life and how they got to where they are now.   Then they go

              One of my favorite movies to watch is You’ve Got Mail .   For years I have watched this film, but it was not until this past Christmas season that I saw the film upon which You’ve Got Mail is based.   The Shop Around the Corner is the original You’ve Got Mail .   Even though they are set in two different time periods, it is clear one is based off of the other.   Some of the scenes are practically exact copies.   All I would have to do is switch the actors.   Other scenes are not so similar, but the basic premise is the same.   In person, a man and a woman can’t stand each other; but through their letters, they are in love.                 Alfred (James Stewart) is a dedicated clerk at leather goods shop in Budapest.   He has worked at the store for years, but does not feel fully appreciated by its owner, Mr. Matuschek (Frank Morgan).   The tension between them grows worse when Mr. Matuschek decides to not listen to Alfred’s opinion about a cigar box that plays mus

                I must say I did not expect to see The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies as fast as I did.   What I expected to do was wait for it to be released on DVD and then watch the film.   Instead I went to the theatre to see it.   I also watched it in 3D, which is something I do not seek out.   3D is usually very expensive.   Fortunately I know of a theatre that does not charge much, if anything, for 3D.   While I don’t know if I would have missed the 3D had I not seen it that way, it did add something to the film.   There were moments that I did feel part of what was happening on screen.   This was especially true when the dragon Smaug was flying through the village.   I actually felt like I was flying with him.   It was a really fun experience and if there is ever a Hobbit theme park, I think that could make a great ride.                 Before I start going into the story of The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies I want to issue a warning.   There is a lot tha